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Changes to children’s social care services that are registered and/or inspected by Ofsted

This guidance is about the changes a registered provider and where appropriate, registered manager, have to tell us about, how to make requests for changes to any conditions of registration, and changes that we may impose. It also sets out the changes a local authority fostering or adoption service is required to tell us about.

Age group: 0–18

Published: December 2015

Reference no: 100253

The Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills (Ofsted) regulates and inspects to

achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of

all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and

Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-

based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons

and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for

looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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No. 100253

© Crown copyright 2015

Changes to children’s social care services that are registered and/or inspected by Ofsted December 2015, No. 100253 3

Contents

Introduction 4

Changes to individuals associated with registration as a provider 7

Changes to the registered person 7

Change of responsible individual 8

Change of registered manager 9

What happens when a registered manager leaves 10

Requesting a change to your conditions of registration 12

Changes to your statement of purpose 14

Other changes that you must tell us about 15

Directors of children’s homes 16

Changes to the symbol system that you use 17

Applying to register additional establishments or agencies 17

Circumstances when a new application is required 18

Circumstances where a new application is not required 21

An additional branch is opened or an existing branch changes size

(voluntary adoption agencies) 21

Cancelling registration 22

Changes to a local authority fostering or adoption agency 24

How to obtain more information 25

Useful legislation and guidance 25

Annex A: Checks on responsible individuals who are appointed to

supervise the management of an establishment or agency which is

registered with Ofsted 26

Annex B: Changes to conditions of registration 30

Annex C: Interim management arrangements 34

Changes to children’s social care services that are registered and/or inspected by Ofsted December 2015, No. 100253

4

Introduction

1. Registered social care providers and registered managers must continue to meet any relevant regulations and conditions of registration placed on them by the Care Standards Act 2000 and associated regulations whilst they remain registered.1 This includes notifying Ofsted about certain events and changes.2

2. This guidance explains what changes and events a registered provider and registered manager must tell us about if they operate or manage:

an adoption support agency

a children’s home, including secure children’s homes (these are types of establishment)

an independent fostering service

a residential family centre (this is a type of establishment)

a residential holiday schemes for disabled children (this is a type of establishment)

a voluntary adoption agency.

3. This guidance also includes information about how a registered provider can request a change to their conditions of registration. Please note that there is separate guidance for providers of social work services.3

4. Providers and managers can apply for registration online. We call the online system which supports this Ofsted online.4

In addition, some of the notifications of change referenced in this guidance can be completed via Ofsted Online.

1 The Care Standards Act 2000, www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000/14/contents. 2 The Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015;

www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2015/541/contents/made The Adoption Support Agencies (England) and Adoption Agencies (Miscellaneous) Regulations 2005;

www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/2720/regulation/27/made The Fostering Services (England) Regulations 2011;

www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2011/581/regulation/39/made

The Residential Family Centres Regulations 2002;www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2002/3213/contents/made

The Residential Holiday Schemes for Disabled Children (England) Regulations 2013; www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2013/1394/contents/made. 3 Guide to registration for providers of social work services (130234), Ofsted, 2014; www.ofsted.gov.uk/resources/130234 4 https://online.ofsted.gov.uk/OnlineOfsted/default.aspx

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000/14/contents

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/2720/regulation/27/made


http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2002/3213/contents/made

http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/resources/130234

https://online.ofsted.gov.uk/OnlineOfsted/default.aspx


5. The establishments and agencies which can use Ofsted Online are:

adoption support agencies

children’s homes, including secure children’s homes

independent fostering agencies

residential family centres

a voluntary adoption agencies.

6. There are two options available for you to submit an application:

Ofsted Online

post.

7. Local authority fostering and adoption services are not required to register with Ofsted but must tell us about certain changes. Paragraph 87 explains what changes and events local authority fostering and adoption services are required to tell us about.

8. Please see the Guide to registration for children’s social care services for more information about registering as a social care provider with Ofsted.5 There is specific guidance on our website for all the establishments and agencies listed in paragraph 2.

5 Guide to registration for children’s social care services (090020), Ofsted, 2015;

www.gov.uk/government/publications/guide-to-registration-for-childrens-social-care-services.

http://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guide-to-registration-for-childrens-social-care-services


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9. Once Ofsted has granted registration, there are a number of changes which a provider must tell Ofsted about(*). There are also a number of changes that a provider must ask Ofsted’s permission to implement. These are:

changes to the registered provider*

a change of responsible individual *

a change of registered manager

a change to the statement of purpose*

applying for a change to the establishment’s or agency’s conditions of registration

applying to register a new establishment or agency

applying to buy an establishment or agency that is already registered

applying to voluntarily cancel registration.

10. There are also a number of changes Ofsted can make. These include:

imposing a change to, removing or adding a condition or conditions of registration

restricting admissions to a children’s home, residential family centre or holiday scheme for disabled children.6

suspending a registration.

11. For information on action that we may take when a registered provider fails to comply with regulations or requirements please refer to the Social care compliance handbook which is available on our website.7

6 The Children and Young Persons Act 2008 inserted section 22B into The Care Standards Act 2000. This insertion gives us the power to serve a notice on a person who is registered in respect of a

children’s home or residential family centre to restrict the accommodation of children in the premises. 7 Social care compliance handbook (140136), Ofsted, 2014;

www.gov.uk/government/publications/social-care-compliance-handbook-from-september-2014.

http://www.gov.uk/government/publications/social-care-compliance-handbook-from-september-2014


Changes to individuals associated with registration as a provider

12. A registered provider must notify Ofsted in writing when:8

anyone who makes up the ‘registered provider’ changes, for example, a director,9 manager, secretary, clerk, trustee, treasurer or a similar officer of the organisation (organisations only)

the responsible individual changes

a manager is appointed for a children’s home, adoption support agency, residential family centre, residential holiday scheme for disabled children, independent fostering agency.

Changes to the registered person

13. The regulations require the registered provider to tell us when an individual who makes up the registered person changes.10 We expect a registered provider to notify us before any change to the individuals listed in paragraph 12 as soon as possible, but always within 14 days of the change.

14. Registered providers may use our SC3 form11 to notify Ofsted of a change to the registered person.12 This form is available at Ofsted Online or from www.gov.uk/ofsted. You can also request an SC3 form by contacting us on 0300 123 1231. See paragraph 89 for our contact details.

8 The Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015, Regulation 49; The Adoption Support Agencies (England) and Adoption Agencies (Miscellaneous) Regulations 2005, Regulation 27; The Fostering Services (England) Regulations 2011, regulation 39; The Residential Family Centres Regulations 2002, Regulation 28; The Residential Holiday Schemes for Disabled Children (England) Regulations 2013, Regulation, Regulation 32 (see note 2). 9 For more information about directors of children’s homes, please see paragraphs 51 – 55. 10 It is the responsibility of the manager to inform Ofsted they are leaving their position by applying to

voluntarily cancel their registration. 11 SC3 Changes to individuals and premises (20110008), Ofsted, 2013;

www.gov.uk/government/publications/childrens-social-care-providers-sc3-changes-to-individuals-or-premises 12 SC3 Changes to individuals and premises (20110008), Ofsted, 2013; www.gov.uk/government/publications/childrens-social-care-providers-sc3-changes-to-individuals-or-

premises

http://www.gov.uk/ofsted

http://www.gov.uk/government/publications/childrens-social-care-providers-sc3-changes-to-individuals-or-premises





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Change of responsible individual

15. Where the registered provider is an organisation, they must appoint someone to represent their organisation (this person is known as the responsible individual). At the initial registration of an establishment or agency we undertake checks on this person.13 Subsequently, the organisation must tell Ofsted when there is a change of responsible individual, but we do not undertake checks on the person.14 You can use Ofsted Online to complete the SC3 form or you can download a copy from www.gov.uk/ofsted.15 The detail must include:

the new responsible individual’s name

his or her address

the position he or she holds within the organisation.

16. We expect the registered provider to notify Ofsted before the change of responsible individual takes place wherever possible, but always within 14 days of the change. Annex A provides guidance on how Ofsted assesses the suitability of a new responsible individual not an already registered establishment or agency. This annex does not apply to holiday schemes.

17. If the registered provider does not tell us that the responsible individual has changed ‘as soon as practicably possible’,16 the provider has breached regulations or has committed an offence17 and we may take action against the registered provider. For example, we may issue a statutory requirement notice: it is an offence not to comply with any statutory requirement notice we issue.

13 See the ‘People connected with a registration’ section of the Guide to registration for children’s social care (see note 3). 14 Children’s homes (England) Regulations 2015, Regulation 49; The Adoption Support Agencies (England) and Adoption Agencies (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2005, Regulations 7, 27

and 29; The Fostering Services (England) Regulations 2011, Regulations 5 and 39; Residential Family Centres Regulations 2002, Regulations 5, 28 and 31; The Residential Holiday Schemes for Disabled Children (England) Regulations 2013, Regulation, Regulation 32 (see note 2). 15 SC3 Changes to individuals and premises (20110008), Ofsted, 2015;

www.gov.uk/government/publications/childrens-social-care-providers-sc3-changes-to-individuals-or-

premises 16 Ofsted determines that ‘as soon as practically possible usually means that Ofsted is notified within a

few days of the change of responsible individual but at the most within 14 days of the change. 17 Not telling Ofsted about a change of a responsible individual of a children’s home, independent

fostering agency and residential holiday scheme for disabled children is a breach of regulation. Not telling Ofsted about a change of responsible individual for a voluntary adoption agency, adoption

support agency or residential family centre is an offence.




Change of registered manager

18. When a manager changes at the following establishments or agencies, the new manager must apply for registration with Ofsted:


children’s homes, including secure children’s homes and schools dually registered as children’s homes



holiday schemes.

19. Regulations require the registered provider to notify us in writing when a new manager is appointed.18 We generally expect the registered provider to write to us within a few days of a manager being in post, but always within 14 days of the manager’s appointment. Guidance on the use of interim management arrangements in children’s homes can be found at annex C. You can use Ofsted Online19 or download a version from www.gov.uk/ofsted20 to tell us about this change. You can also return a hard copy version by post to the address provided in paragraph 89.

20. Having a registered manager in post at all times helps to protect children, young people and adult service users. Therefore, providers are expected to ensure that:

the length of time registered establishments or agencies remain without a manager is minimised

managers register with Ofsted without delay. It is an offence to manage an establishment or agency without registration if this is required by legislation.21

18 The Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015, Regulations 27(2); The Fostering Services (England) Regulations 2011, Regulation 6 (3) and 39 (1) (b); The Adoption Support Agencies (England) and Adoption Agencies (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2005 Regulation 8 (2), 27

(1) (a), 29 (1); The Residential Family Centre Regulations 2002, Regulation 6 (2), 28(a), 31 (1); The Residential Holiday Schemes for Disabled Children (England) Regulations 2013, Regulation 6(2) see note 2. 19 Ofsted Online available at: https://online.ofsted.gov.uk/OnlineOfsted/default.aspx 20 SC3 Changes to individuals and premises (20110008), Ofsted, 2015;

www.gov.uk/government/publications/childrens-social-care-providers-sc3-changes-to-individuals-or-premises 21 Care Standards Act 2000, Section 11(1)





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What happens when a registered manager leaves

21. A registered manager must apply to voluntarily cancel their registration when they decide to leave their position. The registered manager should use the Application to voluntarily cancel registration from a social care provider or manager form to do this.22

22. It is a breach of regulations or an offence if the registered manager does not tell us that he or she is to stop, or has stopped, managing an establishment or agency.23 Ofsted may take action against the registered manager for a breach of the regulations and an offence may be committed in the event of non-compliance with any requirements that we make.

23. The registered provider must tell us when a manager leaves, unless they are certain that the manager has already notified us. This will ensure that they have not breached regulations24 (children’s homes, fostering services) or committed an offence (adoption support agencies and residential family centres).

24. If we find out that a manager has stopped managing an establishment or agency25 and Ofsted has not been informed by the registered provider or the manager, we write to the manager and the registered provider to tell them that they may have breached regulations or committed an offence. We may also take compliance action.

How long can an establishment or agency operate without a manager?

25. The registered provider should ensure that a manager’s contract of employment provides a sufficient period of notice within which they can recruit and register a new manager when the current manager is leaving.

26. At inspection, if there is no registered manager in post and no application in progress without reasonable cause, this will affect the inspection judgement. Please see specific guidance in our guidance on conducting inspections for each

22 Application to voluntarily cancel registration from a social care provider or manager, Ofsted, 2015;

www.gov.uk/government/publications/social-care-apply-to-cancel-registration 23 The Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 Regulation 49(a); The Fostering Services (England) Regulations 2011 Regulation 39 (1) (b); The Residential Family Centre Regulations 2002, Regulation 28(b) and 31; The Residential Holiday Schemes for Disabled Children (England) Regulations 2013, Regulation 32(1), see note 2; The Adoption Support Agencies (England) and Adoption Agencies (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2005, Regulation 27 (1) (b). Although the manager of a voluntary adoption agency is not required to register with Ofsted, we must still be

informed if the manager changes. 24 This applies to children’s homes, independent fostering agencies and residential holiday schemes

for disabled children 25 For example, we could discover this because we telephone or inspect the service and find out that

the registered manager has ceased managing the service.

http://www.gov.uk/government/publications/social-care-apply-to-cancel-registration


type of establishment or agency. We also have specific guidance on when we accept interim management arrangements for children’s homes. Please see annex C for more information.

When does a new manager have to apply for registration?

27. Once in post, a manager of an adoption support agency, children’s home, independent fostering agency, residential family centre or holiday scheme must apply to Ofsted for registration as soon as possible but at a maximum of 28 days from the first date of their employment.26 This is to minimise the risk that unsuitable people manage these types of establishment or agency.

28. Where we do not receive an application from a manager within 28 days we will consider whether we need to take any action to protect and promote vulnerable children’s and adults’ welfare. It is an offence27 to manage an establishment, agency or residential holiday scheme without registration.28

Registering a new manager at an already registered establishment or agency

29. To register a new manager of an already registered establishment or agency Ofsted undertakes fitness checks, interviews the applicant, assesses whether his or her skills, knowledge and qualifications meet the requirements of regulation and make a decision to register or refuse the application.

30. The applicant must meet the same requirements as a proposed registered manager of a new establishment or agency. He or she has the same rights of appeal about our decision to refuse registration. Please refer to information in our Guide to registration for children’s social care services.29

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) update service

31. All applicants who require a DBS certificate must also subscribe to the DBS update service and give their consent for Ofsted to check their DBS status at least once every six months. This is so that we can monitor his or her ongoing suitability.

26 The Adoption Support Agencies (England) and Adoption Agencies (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2005, Regulation 26(1)(a)&(b); The Children’s homes (England) Regulations 2015, Regulation 48 (1);

The Residential Family Centre Regulations 2002, Regulation 27(1)(a)&(b) The Fostering Services (England) Regulations 2011, Regulation 38(1) 27 Care Standards Act 2000, Section 11(1) 28 A manager of a voluntary adoption agency does not require registration with Ofsted. 29 See note below.


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Requesting a change to your conditions of registration

32. The registered provider can apply to vary, remove or change a condition of registration by making a written request and paying a fee. Before requesting a change, please also read Annex A of the Guide to registration for children’s social care services. 30 This guidance explains what conditions we set on a regular basis and how we decide whether particular conditions are necessary for an individual establishment or agency.

33. We only apply conditions of registration that do not:

duplicate any requirements placed on providers and/or managers by the Care Standards Act 2000, or regulations made under this Act

conflict with or exempt a provider or manager from complying with any of the regulations made under the Care Standards Act 2000

name an individual other than the registered person(s), as we have no powers to make or enforce conditions other than those that apply to registered person(s).31

Making a variation application and decision32

34. To apply for a variation to your conditions of registration please contact us using the details provided in paragraph 89. An inspector will contact the registered provider to discuss the variation request in order to decide whether the request is a minor or major variation. For information about minor and major variations please refer to paragraph 36.

35. For specific information about the conditions of registration which apply to each establishment or agency please refer to Annex B.

36. There are two types of variation, a:

minor variation: where we decide we do not need to visit the establishment or agency to agree to the variation and where the change to the registration is minimal. For example, the provider requests an addition to the overall numbers a children’s home can accommodate and we know has the facilities to provide for this number of children and where the supporting documentation shows that all the necessary factors have been considered.

major variation: where we need to inspect the establishment or agency to find out whether the proposed change complies with legislative requirements. For example, when the application is for a significant increase

30 Guide to registration for children's social care services (090020), Ofsted, 2015; www.gov.uk/government/publications/guide-to-registration-for-childrens-social-care-services. 31 ‘The registered person’ covers both the registered provider and registered manager. 32 Care Standards Act 2000 (Registration) (England) Regulations 2010, Regulation 10,

www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2010/2130/regulation/10/made.




in numbers and/or we need to check that any premises alterations are satisfactory.

37. There are different fees for minor and major variations. You can find out what these are in our leaflet Variation fees for children’s social care services.33

38. Once the inspector has discussed whether it is an application for a major or minor variation, we send an Application to vary or remove conditions of registration form to complete in full and return to us. You can only return this form by post to us at the address provided in paragraph 89. The responsible individual, or someone who makes up the registered provider, must sign the form. In addition the application must include the appropriate fee and any requested supporting documentation.34 We are unable to process your variation request without the required fee.

39. A registered manager can only sign an application, including a variation, if he or she is a part of the registered provider.

40. Once we have made a decision to grant or refuse the variation application, we will write to the registered provider outlining our decision. If we refuse your variation application you have the right to make written representations and appeal against our decision. Please see the ‘Representations’ and ‘Appeals’ sections in the Social care compliance handbook35 for further information.

Accommodating a child or young person at a children’s home in an emergency

41. If a provider wishes to be able to accommodate a child or young person in an emergency, this must be written as part of their statement of purpose. The statement must detail how such situations will be managed and how the effects on those children already living at the home will be minimised. All policies and procedures should demonstrate that this aspect of provision is considered. For example, the fire risk assessment must include detail of how a child or young person who comes to the home in an emergency will be taken into consideration. Please also read paragraphs 45 to 48 about changes to the statement of purpose.

42. Occasionally registered children’s homes’ providers request permission to act outside their conditions of registration to cover a short-term emergency situation. Each request is considered on a case-by-case basis which is based on

33 Variation fees for children’s social care services (090320), Ofsted, 2015; www.gov.uk/government/publications/childrens-social-care-providers-variation-fees. 34 The Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills (Fees and Frequency of Inspections) (Children’s Homes etc.) Regulations 2015 (www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2015/551/contents/made) sets out the required fees. 35 Social Care Compliance Handbook, Ofsted, 2014:

www.gov.uk/government/publications/social-care-compliance-handbook-from-september-2014

http://www.gov.uk/government/publications/childrens-social-care-providers-variation-fees




14

a need to protect the children and young people living at the home and the child / young person who the provider wishes to admit.

43. Ofsted makes a decision about the request by taking into account:

the information we hold about the children’s home

the home’s statement of purpose

whether the provider will be able to meet the needs of the child or young person and other children or young people who live at the home.

44. The inspector contacts the registered provider to explain whether we have agreed or refused the request. The registered provider also receives a letter confirming our decision. If we have agreed the request, the letter sets out a time limit. If the child or young person will live at the home for more than 14 days, the registered provider will need to apply to vary the conditions of registration immediately if the child or young person is to continue to live at the home.

Changes to your statement of purpose

45. The registered provider and registered manager for each registered establishment or agency are required by law to have, and maintain, a statement of purpose (statement) that accurately depicts the service provided at any given time. The statement should state the aims and objectives of the establishment or agency, facilities and services provided and include the other information specified in regulations.36

46. It is a breach of regulations if a children’s home, independent fostering agency or holiday scheme is not operating in a manner that is consistent with its statement of purpose. Ofsted may take action against the registered provider for a breach of the regulations. An offence may be committed if the registered provider and registered manager do not comply with such action.

47. It is an offence if a voluntary adoption agency, adoption support agency or residential family centre is not operating in a manner that is consistent with its statement.37

36 The Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015, Regulation 16(1); Residential Family Centre Regulations 2002, Regulation 4(1); Voluntary Adoption Agencies and the Adoption Agencies (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2003, Regulation 3(1); Adoption Support Agencies (England) and Adoption Agencies (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2005, Regulation 5(1),

The Residential Holiday Schemes for Disabled Children (England) Regulations 2013, Regulation 3(1) see note 2. 37 The Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015, Regulation 16(5); The Adoption Support Agencies (England) and Adoption Agencies (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2005,

Regulation 5(7); The Residential Family Centres Regulations 2002, Regulation 4(5); The Fostering


48. The registered provider or registered manager must notify Ofsted within 28 days when they make any changes to the statement.38 As long as one of these registered persons has notified us we accept this as a notification. You can notify Ofsted of a change to an establishment or agency’s statement of purpose by post to the address outlined in paragraph 89.

Other changes that you must tell us about

49. The registered provider and registered manager (the registered persons) are required by regulations to tell Ofsted when:39

a. someone other than the registered person carries on or manages the establishment or agency

b. a person ceases to carry on or manage the establishment or agency40

c. where the registered provider is an individual, he or she changes his or her name

d. any individuals who make up an individual provider change (children’s homes only)41

e. where the registered provider is a partnership, the membership changes42

f. where the registered provider is an organisation:

- the name or address of the organisation changes

Services (England) Regulations 2011, Regulation 3(5), The Residential Holiday Schemes for Disabled Children (England) Regulations 2013, Regulation 3(4) see note 2. 38 The Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015, Regulation 16(1)(b); The Adoption Support Agencies (England) and Adoption Agencies (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2005,

Regulation 6(b); The Voluntary Adoption Agencies and the Adoption Agencies (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2003, Regulation 4(b), see note 16; The Residential Family Centres Regulations 2002, Regulation 4(4)(b); The Fostering Services (England) Regulations 2011, Regulation

4(b), The Residential Holiday Schemes for Disabled Children (England) Regulations 2013, Regulation 4(b)see note 2. 39 The Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015, Regulation 49; The Residential Family Centres Regulations 2002. Regulation 28; The Fostering Services (England) Regulations 2011, Regulation 39; The Adoption Support Agencies (England) and Adoption Agencies (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2005, Regulation 27, The Residential Holiday Schemes for Disabled Children (England) Regulations 2013, Regulation 32, see note 2. 40 When a new manager is appointed they will have to apply for registration by completing an SC2 form, www.gov.uk/government/publications/childrens-social-care-providers-sc2-declaration-and-

consent-form. 41 Where a new person wants to become involved in carrying on a children’s home with other individuals, they must submit an SC2 form and have their registration granted before they can carry

on the children’s home. Where an individual decides to cease carrying on a children’s home, he or she must apply to voluntarily cancel their registration. Once their cancellation has been accepted, their

name will be removed from the certificate and a new certificate will be issued. 42 Where a new partner wants to join an existing partnership, he or she must submit an SC2 form and

have their registration granted before they can carry on an establishment or agency.

http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2002/20023213.htm#28



http://www.gov.uk/government/publications/childrens-social-care-providers-sc2-declaration-and-consent-form

http://www.gov.uk/government/publications/childrens-social-care-providers-sc2-declaration-and-consent-form


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- a director, manager, secretary, clerk, treasurer, trustee or similar officer changes

- the identity of the responsible individual changes

g. the premises of a children’s home or residential family centre are significantly altered or additional premises are acquired.

h. where the registered provider is an individual, he or she becomes bankrupt or makes an arrangement with their creditors. You must write a personal letter about this change and provide this to Ofsted by post, using the address in paragraph 89.

i. where the registered provider is a company, it goes in to liquidation or receivership. You must write a personal letter about this change and provide this to Ofsted by post, using the address in paragraph 89.

50. The registered person must tell us about any of the changes outlined above.43 We expect them to tell us about these changes before they occur, but always within 14 days of the change taking place. The notification must be in writing. You can use the Ofsted online SC3 form44 or download a version from www.gov.uk/ofsted45 to tell us about the changes listed in paragraph 49 (a) to (g). The types of change listed as (h) and (i) must be made via a personal letter to the address in paragraph 89.

Directors of children’s homes

51. If there is a change of children’s home director once an organisation is registered the organisation must notify Ofsted.46 Inspectors review how the provider has assured themselves that the new director is suitable to work with children and fit for registration at the next inspection they undertake.

52. Providers must ensure they are able to provide inspectors with the information at the children’s home the inspector is inspecting. Failure to provide such evidence will be taken into account in making inspection judgements and the provider may be required to submit the information without delay.

53. If a registered provider makes an application to register a new children’s home, any directors who have not previously completed an SC2 are required to do so

43 The Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015, Regulation 49; The Residential Family Centres Regulations 2002, Regulation 28; The Fostering Services (England) Regulations 2011, Regulation 39; The Adoption Support Agencies (England) and Adoption Agencies (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2005, Regulation 27, The Residential Holiday Schemes for Disabled Children (England) Regulations 2013, Regulation 32, see note 2. 44 Ofsted Online available at: https://online.ofsted.gov.uk/OnlineOfsted/default.aspx 45 SC3 Changes to individuals and premises (20110008), Ofsted, 2015;

www.gov.uk/government/publications/childrens-social-care-providers-sc3-changes-to-individuals-or-premises. 46 The Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015, Regulation 49.











as part of the new application. Directors of children’s homes are not required to obtain a Disclosure and Barring Service certificate.

54. Providers already registered must satisfy themselves that directors meet the fitness requirements and produce evidence at the appropriate stage for example at inspection or if they make an additional application to carry on a children’s home.

Changes to the symbol system that you use

55. If you use a particular symbol system to aid communication with children and young people, please keep us updated about any changes you make to the types of symbol systems that you use. It is helpful for inspectors to know which systems are in use by a provider before they inspect. You can tell us about a change to the symbol systems you use by using the form on our website: Types of communication symbols used at our service.47 You can return this form by post to the address in paragraph 89.

Applying to register additional establishments or agencies

56. This section provides information for registered providers who:

buy an existing establishment or agency

wish to register a new establishment or agency

move premises

change their legal entity.

57. When a registered provider submits an application they must supply us with certain information.48 This helps us to ensure that anyone who provides care and accommodation for vulnerable children and adults is suitable to do so. Where we already hold any information required in an application we will make the registration process as simple as possible. Please note that you do not need to supply information we already hold where it was supplied after 30 September 2010 and is unchanged.49 You can use Ofsted online or our word versions of the SC1 and SC2 forms to apply to register establishments and agencies as identified in paragraph 5; these are available on our website.50 You can return hard copy versions of applications by post to the address in paragraph 89.

47 Types of communication systems used at our service form (children's social care providers), Ofsted,

2009; www.gov.uk/government/publications/childrens-social-care-types-of-communication-used. 48 The Care Standards Act 2000 (Registration)(England) Regulations 2010, Regulation 3. 49 The Care Standards Act 2000 (Registration)(England) Regulations 2010, Regulation 3(5). 50 Completing your application pack to be a social care provider www.gov.uk/apply-for-registration-as-

a-childrens-social-care-provider-or-manager

http://www.gov.uk/government/publications/childrens-social-care-types-of-communication-used

http://www.gov.uk/apply-for-registration-as-a-childrens-social-care-provider-or-manager

http://www.gov.uk/apply-for-registration-as-a-childrens-social-care-provider-or-manager


18

58. Application fees must be submitted with every application in order for Ofsted to commence processing this. The full fee must be submitted with any word version of applications. If you make an application via Ofsted Online we will verify that you have provided all the necessary information for us to process your application. If we consider your application documentation is complete you will receive a message with provides you with detail of how to pay the fee online. Please note that we will only commence processing your application once we receive your full application fee.

Circumstances when a new application is required

An existing registered provider (organisation, partnership or sole trader) wishes to set up a new establishment or agency not previously registered

59. We require a new application and fee for each new establishment or agency. The registered provider must complete an application via Ofsted online or supply Ofsted with word versions of the application forms SC1 and SC251 with all the necessary additional documentation.

60. A separate application must be made for each proposed establishment or agency.52 However, we do not require annual accounts, a business plan or a financial reference if these have been supplied to us in the previous 12 months.

An existing registered provider (organisation, partnership or sole trader) acquires one or a number of already registered establishments or agencies

61. We require a new application and fee for each registered establishment or agency that an existing registered provider buys or acquires. Where this involves buying a number of existing establishments or agencies we do not require a full application form for each one. You can complete one hard copy SC1 in full and leave the details of the provider blank in any other SC1 forms you submit. If you make application via Ofsted online53 you will be able to complete one form and use the reference number of this application to generate the other application forms before submitting these to Ofsted.

62. Please note that:

the buyer cannot take on responsibility for an establishment or agency until registration is complete. Registration is complete when the buyer has received the registration certificate for an establishment or agency.54

51 See previous reference 52 SC1 www.ofsted.gov.uk/resources/sc1-application-form-for-childrens-social-care; SC2

www.ofsted.gov.uk/resources/sc2-declaration-and-consent-form. 53 Ofsted Online available at: https://online.ofsted.gov.uk/OnlineOfsted/default.aspx 54 Care Standards Act 2000, Section 28(1)

http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/resources/sc1-application-form-for-childrens-social-care

http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/resources/sc2-declaration-and-consent-form



where the existing establishment or agency has uncompleted statutory requirements, the buyer must provide an action plan that demonstrates how they will meet those requirements (this must include a timescale for completing each requirement).55

the seller remains responsible for the establishment or agency until they apply to voluntarily cancel their registration in writing: (see paragraphs 77 to 86) and this has been granted by Ofsted. Where continuity of care for children is an issue, the existing registered provider must not voluntarily cancel their registration until the new registration takes effect (the date on the certificate).

63. We may not need to carry out a full assessment of the premises or the manager. This will depend on the individual circumstances of the situation and the amount of information we hold about the buyer and the establishments or agencies that they run.

An existing registered provider (organisation, partnership or sole trader) sells a franchise

64. We require a new application and fee for each franchise. The franchisee (buyer) must register as the provider, not the franchisor (seller).

Changes of legal entity once registered

65. Where a registered provider changes their legal entity; for example, where an individual becomes a registered company, a new application and application fee is required for each establishment or agency affected by the change. This is because a new legal entity requires a new registration.

66. As above (see paragraph 61), where this involves a registered provider buying a number of existing establishments or agencies, we do not necessarily require a fully completed hard copy application form for each one. We decide what level of checks we need to undertake depending on the individual circumstances of the situation. By using Ofsted online you will be able to complete one form and, before submitting this and use it to generate other application forms. The other application forms which you generate will be populated with information contained in the first application completed. Detail of how to do this is available when you log in to Ofsted online.56

67. If a company changes its Companies House registration number, it must submit a new application. In these circumstances, the registered provider has changed and, therefore, the establishment or agency must re-register.

55 Care Standards Act 2000 (Registration)(England) Regulations 2010, regulation 3(6) 56 Ofsted Online available at: https://online.ofsted.gov.uk/OnlineOfsted/default.aspx



20

Move to new premises

68. If a registered provider of a children’s home or residential family centre moves premises, they must apply and pay an application fee for registration at the new premises. They must also, at an appropriate point, apply to voluntarily cancel their registration in respect of the old premises. This is because the registration of an establishment is in respect of particular premises.

69. The service at the new premises cannot commence unless we have granted registration. This is the case even where changes of premises are temporary and short term; for example, where there is building work taking place. In emergency situations, such as where existing premises are flooded, we will work with the provider to complete the registration as soon as possible.

70. The provider must complete an application which includes everyone who makes up the proposed registered provider and an application for the proposed registered manager. We will decide if new checks are required for the provider and/or manager. Please see paragraphs 72 to 73 for more information.

71. Where an independent fostering agency or voluntary adoption agency move to new premises, or where the principal office of a holiday scheme changes, the provider should confirm the details in writing by post to the address provided in paragraph 89. If there are no substantial changes to the operation of the agency or holiday scheme a variation or new application are not required.

How we decide if new checks are necessary when registering a new establishment or agency for an already registered provider or when a provider moves the operation of a children’s home to other premises

72. We take account of any change to the establishment or agency and the service it provides as part of any decision we make to request new checks. For example, if the registered provider wishes to significantly alter their conditions of registration we determine whether the manager has the necessary qualifications, skills and knowledge to meet the needs of the proposed change. Where a children’s home for children with emotional and behavioural difficulties applies to become a home for children with learning and physical disabilities, we may need to request new references to substantiate the proposed manager’s ability to meet children’s needs and the requirements of regulation.

73. The registration visit concentrates on how the new premises meet vulnerable children’s and adults’ needs and the registered provider’s and manager’s understanding of related safety issues. We may not need to carry out a full registration visit and fit person interviews. Where there are no significant changes to people working on the premises, or the manager or other aspects of the provision, we will as a minimum:

interview the applicant and proposed manager about the intentions for the establishment or agency


review the policies and procedures the applicant wishes to introduce, and how these differ from those already in place

check the date of the last inspection and its findings, including how any statutory requirements or recommendations have been met

review any conditions of registration in place.

Circumstances where a new application is not required

Acquiring a company and running it under the existing company name

74. Sometimes an organisation acquires a company and chooses to continue to run it as that company with no change to the responsible individual or registered manager. Where the registered company name and registered company number remain the same and it continues to trade under the existing company name we do not require a new application(s).

75. In these circumstances, please read our guidance on changes to the registered person in paragraphs 13 to 14. If there is any change to the responsible individual, please follow guidance in paragraphs 15 to 17 and, the guidance in Annex A. If there is a change to the registered manager please follow guidance in paragraphs 18 to 20.

Changes of name and registered addresses

76. Registered providers sometimes change their name, or change the registered head office address (not the establishment or agency address). As the registered provider remains the same we do not need a new application.

An additional branch is opened or an existing branch changes size (voluntary adoption agencies)

77. A voluntary adoption agency must notify Ofsted if it intends to commence operation of a new branch. Any premises used for the purpose of an agency must be inspected by Ofsted at least once every three years. The annual fee payable by an agency is dependent on the number and size of its branches.

78. A branch means premises of the organisation, other than its principal office, where some or all of the main functions/key activities are performed. A ‘small branch’ for fees purposes is defined in legislation.57,58 The responsible individual or other senior officer of the registered agency must complete an SC4 form

57 The functions of a VAA comprise ‘making arrangements for the adoption of children’ under section 2(5) of the Adoption and Children Act 2002. 58 The Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills (Fees and Frequency of Inspections) (Children’s Homes etc.) Regulations 2015;

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2015/551/contents/made.



22

(notification of new branch or change in branch size)59 on behalf of the agency and return it to Ofsted at least 28 days before the agency starts to operate from the new branch or the change in size. You can download the form from the Ofsted website and return it to us at the address provided in paragraph 89.

Cancelling registration

79. If a registered provider no longer wishes to carry on a registered establishment or agency, they must apply to ‘voluntarily cancel’ their registration with Ofsted.60

80. You do not pay a fee if you make an application to voluntarily cancel your registration.

81. To cancel a registration, the registered provider must:

apply in writing on a form approved by Ofsted. The application to cancel a registration can be made by post to the address in paragraph 89.

make the application no less than three months before the date they want the cancellation to take effect

provide specific information detailed in regulation 13 of The Care Standards Act 2000 (Registration) (England) Regulations 2010.61

82. If the registered provider does not complete the steps outlined in paragraph 79 we may decide to cancel the registration. For individuals registered in respect of a children’s home this will disqualify them from carrying on, or being concerned in the management of, having a financial interest in, or working at a children’s home in the future without receiving our written consent.62

83. You can download the application form for voluntarily cancelling a registration from our website63 and submit this by post. If you contact us to apply to cancel your registration, we will tell you how to access this application form or send one to you. You must send the completed form back to us at the address in paragraph 89.

59 SC4 Notification of a new voluntary adoption agency branch, Ofsted, 2015;

www.gov.uk/government/publications/voluntary-adoption-agencies-sc4-notification-of-new-branch. 60 For information on applying to voluntarily cancel a manager’s registration please see paragraphs

21- 24. 61 Care Standards Act 2000 (Registration) (England) Regulations 2010, Regulation 13, www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2010/2130/regulation/10/made. 62 See the ‘Disqualification and written consent’ section in the Social care compliance handbook, Ofsted, 2014: www.gov.uk/government/publications/social-care-compliance-handbook-from-

september-2014 63 Application for cancellation of registration (070094), Ofsted, 2015;

www.gov.uk/government/publications/social-care-apply-to-cancel-registration.

http://www.gov.uk/government/publications/voluntary-adoption-agencies-sc4-notification-of-new-branch


http://see/



http://www.gov.uk/government/publications/social-care-apply-to-cancel-registration


84. When we receive an application to voluntarily cancel a registration, we contact the registered provider by telephone to confirm:

the date of closure

the arrangements made for the future care of the children and young people or adult service users

that information has been given about the proposed closure to:

the children or young people and any adult service users

any representatives of the children or young people and adult service users

the local authority in whose area the home is situated.

Please note the registered provider is required to give us the above information.

85. Where less than three months’ notice has been given, the registered provider must tell us whether the establishment or agency has ceased to be financially viable, or will cease to be financially viable within the next 12 months.64

86. The registered provider should not:

sell a registered establishment or agency without applying to cancel the registration. Please see paragraphs 56 to 58 for further guidance on what to do when selling an establishment or agency to someone else

cease operating without applying to voluntarily cancel the registration unless they intend to close the establishment or agency while retaining its registration.

87. If we agree to cancel a registration, the provider must return the registration certificate by the agreed date of cancellation.

88. There may be occasions where we refuse a registered person’s application to voluntarily cancel their registration. This may occur where we are in the process of taking compliance action against the person or where we have serious concerns regarding his or her fitness. Further information on this is available in the ‘Cancellation of registration’ section of the Social care compliance handbook.65

64 Care Standards Act 2000 (Registration)(England) Regulations 2010, 13(4)(f), see note 1. 65 Social Care Compliance Handbook (140136), Ofsted, 2014:




24

Changes to a local authority fostering or adoption agency

89. Local authority adoption and fostering services must notify Ofsted in writing when a manager changes. We also ask local authorities to notify us if the nominated person changes, but they are not required by law to do so. Local authorities can notify us of this change via an SC3 form on Ofsted online or by downloading a version from www.gov.uk/ofsted66 returning this by post to the address in paragraph 89.

66 SC3 Changes to individuals and premises (20110008), Ofsted, 2015; www.gov.uk/government/publications/childrens-social-care-providers-sc3-changes-to-individuals-or-

premises.




How to obtain more information

90. We have other guidance about children’s social care establishments and agencies on our website.67

91. To obtain copies of any of Ofsted’s guidance or obtain forms mentioned in this document you can:

follow the links in this document if you are using it online

download the guidance from www.gov.uk/ofsted

telephone our help line 0300 123 1231 and ask us to send you specific guidance or application forms

write to us at the following address:

Ofsted Piccadilly Gate Store street Manchester

M1 2WD.

You can also return information and applications to us at the above address.

Useful legislation and guidance

92. We have a list of useful legislation and statutory guidance on our website.68 You are strongly advised to check that the links provide the most up to date information. You can also contact The Stationery Office on 0870 600 5522 for hard copies of regulations.

67 See below 68 Register as a children’s social care provider or manager www.gov.uk/apply-for-registration-as-a-

childrens-social-care-provider-or-manager.


26

Annex A: Checks on responsible individuals who are appointed to supervise the management of an establishment or agency which is registered with Ofsted

1. A provider must demonstrate to Ofsted that the responsible individual they appoint is able to meet the requirements of regulation. Ofsted’s inspectors will scrutinise the steps providers have taken to determine that a responsible individual who has been appointed to a registered establishment or agency is fit to supervise the management of an establishment or agency.

2. This scrutiny will apply in situations where:

the identity of a responsible individual changes.

a person acting as responsible individual becomes responsible for the management of another registered establishment or agency that they did not supervise on 31 March 2014.

3. The following establishments and agencies, are included:


children’s homes, including secure children’s homes and schools dually registered as children’s homes



voluntary adoption agencies

(Please note this does not include residential holiday schemes for disabled children.)

4. Having a responsible individual in post at all times who is accountable for the

supervision of the management of an establishment or agency helps to protect children, young people and, where appropriate, adult service users. It also supports a provider to improve the quality of the service they offer and ensures that the organisation which is registered as the provider has a direct link to the operation of the establishment or agency on the ground. Further, it is a requirement of regulation.69

69 The Adoption Support Agencies (England) and Adoption Agencies (Miscellaneous Amendments)

Regulations 2005, Regulation 7 The Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015, Regulation 26;

The Fostering Services (England) Regulations 2011, Regulation 5 The Residential Family Centre Regulations 2002, Regulation 5


5. Providers are therefore expected to ensure that:

the person they appoint as a responsible individual satisfies the legal obligation relating to their fitness in the relevant regulations

the length of time registered establishments or agencies remain without a responsible individual is minimal.

6. A provider must demonstrate to Ofsted that the responsible individual they

appoint:

has an effective knowledge and understanding of:

law and practice relating to looked after children

safeguarding and child protection

law and guidance in relation to the establishment or agency that he or she will be responsible for including: applicable regulations; national minimum standards; and, statutory guidance

has the skills, knowledge and ability to carry on the establishment or agency in a way which promotes both good practice and continuous improvement

has the business and management skills to supervise the management of the establishment or agency efficiently and effectively

can demonstrate that she or he, or another official within the organisation, has the necessary financial skills and expertise to ensure the establishment or agency is run on a sound financial basis. This includes the long-term financial viability of the establishment or agency.

has completed all checks required under service specific regulations completed and these were satisfactory.70

7. It is a legal requirement for registered providers to notify Ofsted if a change of the responsible individual is proposed or has occurred. This must be done immediately wherever possible, but always within 14 days of the change.71

70 The Adoption Support Agencies (England) and Adoption Agencies (Miscellaneous Amendments)

Regulations 2005, Schedule 2; The Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015, Schedule 2;

The Fostering Services (England) Regulations 2011, Schedule 1; The Residential Family Centre Regulations 2002, Schedule 2. 71 Regulations state that registered providers must notify Ofsted ‘as soon as it is practical to do so’ – we determine this usually means within a few days of the change of responsible individual but at the

most within 14 days of the change.


28

8. If the registered provider does not inform us that the responsible individual has changed within 14 days Ofsted will treat this as a breach of the relevant regulations and we may take action against the registered provider.72 For example, we may issue a compliance notice: it is an offence not to comply with any compliance notice that we issue.

9. Once Ofsted receives such a notification, or becomes aware by other means, of a change in responsible individual, we will request in writing the relevant information listed in paragraph 6. Ofsted’s written request will include a timescale for the submission of the relevant information. This will usually be 10 working days from receipt of the request. The information submitted must demonstrate that the provider has complied with legal requirements with regard to the selection and fitness of the responsible individual in question. If Ofsted does not receive the information within the specified timeframe detailed in the written request we will convene a case review to decide whether further action is required; including triggering an inspection. For further information about case reviews please refer to guidance within the Social care compliance handbook.73

10. Ofsted’s written request for information about the responsible individual will ask a provider to include, but may not be limited to:

evidence of a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certificate and confirmation that they subscribe to the DBS update service, or evidence of their status check if the person already subscribes to the DBS online update service

evidence that all checks required under service specific regulations were completed, and were satisfactory, and the provider has undertaken a satisfactory assessment of the person’s fitness in line with other detail in paragraph 674

a fit person questionnaire completed by the responsible individual75

any other information Ofsted considers necessary to determine whether the provider is observing its legal obligations with regard to the appointment of the responsible individual

72 Not telling Ofsted about a change of a responsible individual of a children’s home, independent

fostering agency and residential holiday scheme for disabled children is a breach of regulation. Not telling Ofsted about a change of responsible individual for a voluntary adoption agency, adoption

support agency or residential family centre is an offence. 73 Social care compliance handbook, Ofsted, 2014:

www.gov.uk/government/publications/social-care-compliance-handbook-from-september-2014 74 The Adoption Support Agencies (England) and Adoption Agencies (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2005, Schedule 2;

The Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015, Schedule 2; The Fostering Services (England) Regulations 2011, Schedule 1;

The Residential Family Centre Regulations 2002, Schedule 2. 75 Fit person questionnaires: registered manager and registered provider or responsible individual:

www.gov.uk/government/publications/childrens-social-care-fit-person-assessment-questionnaires


http://www.gov.uk/government/publications/childrens-social-care-fit-person-assessment-questionnaires


detail of the establishments and agencies the responsible individual supervises or will supervise.

11. Subject to an inspector’s review of the information in the paragraph above, an

interview with the responsible individual may be necessary to establish whether the provider has nominated a responsible individual who is fit.

12. If concerns arise about the responsible individual’s fitness during this process, we must follow our procedures in the Social care compliance handbook76 including convening a case discussion or case review immediately to consider what action to take, for example we may request further information from the provider or decide to take compliance action.

76 Social Care Compliance Handbook, Ofsted, 2014:




30

Annex B: Changes to conditions of registration

Introduction 1. Once registered, a provider may request a change to their conditions of

registration, including their categories of registration, by applying to remove, alter or request an additional condition. Full guidance on the conditions that can be applied at registration and the wording that Ofsted uses for different types of children’s home and categories of registration is available in the Guide to registration for children’s social care services.77

2. In addition, Ofsted has powers to vary, remove or impose conditions on an existing registration under section 13(5)(a) and (b) of the Care Standards Act 2000. We use these wide powers to safeguard and promote the well-being of children and young people and to address specific issues relating to a particular children’s home.

Specific circumstances where Ofsted may impose a new condition of registration or, vary or remove existing conditions of registration 3. The registered person:

must reduce the number of children by the number of people aged 18 and over for which it also provides care and accommodation.

4. We do this, rather than process this via a variation request from a provider, to ensure that young people living at the home can continue to do so where they need to continue their education and to ensure that provider does not therefore incur a fee.

5. However, a provider must demonstrate that this is in a young adult’s best interests. They must also demonstrate that it does not inhibit or detract from the safety and/or quality of care provided to other children and young people living at the home.

Categories of registration for children’s homes

6. Following registration, the provider and registered manager must monitor whether the categories in place continue to adequately reflect the home’s statement of purpose. This includes monitoring whether the categories accurately describe the principle needs of the children and young people who live there, or who receive short breaks services. At inspection, inspectors take account of how well a provider and registered manager monitor that any categories of registration placed on the home accurately reflect the home's


www.gov.uk/government/publications/guide-to-registration-for-childrens-social-care-services



statement of purpose. Their findings will form part of their judgement about leadership and management.

7. Ofsted expects a provider to apply for a variation to their category/ies of registration if the main needs of the group of children and young people who they provide services to do not align with the categories of registration on their current certificate. See our full guidance on categories of registration in the Guide to registration for children’s social care services.78 We treat this as any other variation request.

8. Ofsted may limit the categories of registration where this is in children and young people’s best interests. In those instances the condition must be worded using the words ‘may only’ as in the following examples. The registered person:

may only accommodate children with physical disabilities

may only accommodate children with learning disabilities.

This restricts the provider to only accommodating children and young people in the stated categories.

9. We only consider a provider has breached their conditions of registration in relation to categories if the certificate states that the registered person ‘may only’ accommodate that category. Please see paragraphs 6 to 8 of this annex for more information.

Children’s homes which accommodate young adults aged 18 years and over

10. Where it is in child’s best interests to live at a children’s home past their 18th birthday, Ofsted will support this. However, there are some principles which such children’s homes must adhere to in order to maintain their registration. These are set out in Guidance on inspecting and regulating childrens homes with accommodation for adults.79

Accommodating a mother with their baby at a children’s home

11. Where a children’s home intends to accommodate a mother and her baby at a children’s home, the overall numbers of the children’s home must include the baby. However, if the home is a single-bedded home, this does not apply. For

78 Guide to registration for children’s social care services (090020), Ofsted, 2015; www.gov.uk/government/publications/guide-to-registration-for-childrens-social-care-services 79 Guidance on inspecting and regulating childrens homes with accommodation for adults (100116), Ofsted, July 2015; www.gov.uk/government/publications/inspecting-childrens-homes-with-

accommodation-for-adults.


http://www.gov.uk/government/publications/inspecting-childrens-homes-with-accommodation-for-adults

http://www.gov.uk/government/publications/inspecting-childrens-homes-with-accommodation-for-adults


32

more information please refer to the Guide to registration for children’s social care services.80

12. Decisions to accommodate a mother with her baby at an already registered home must always be made in conjunction with a decision about whether this is in the best interests of the baby, their mother, and other children and young people living at the home. The facilities, space, staffing qualifications and skills, and external support services are crucial factors when deciding whether accommodating a mother and baby is appropriate even for a short period of time.

No child/children living at the children’s home

13. Where a home does not intend to accommodate children and young people and will remain closed for some time, interim inspections are completed and a condition that the home must notify Ofsted if they intend to accommodate a child or young person is imposed. The condition must be worded as follows. The registered person:

must inform Ofsted of their intention to admit children and young people three months before a child or young person will commence living at the homes.

Multi-sites

14. If a provider wishes to extend their service to operate over more than one site81 the following wording may be used. The registered person:

may only provide care and accommodation for up to x children at >insert name of site< and a further x children at >insert name of site<.

Mobile services

15. There are a very small number of children’s homes that are registered to provide mobile services. Please refer to Guidance for mobile services for more information.82 If a mobile service provider changes their operation they may have to apply for changes to their conditions of registration or we may impose additional conditions of registration. See the Social care registration handbook and Guide to registration for children’s social care services for information.


www.gov.uk/government/publications/guide-to-registration-for-childrens-social-care-services 81 See annex C of the Guide to registration for children’s social care services for more information

about the registration of multi-site children’s homes. 82 Guidance for mobile services (100252), Ofsted, 2011; www.gov.uk/government/publications/when-

mobile-services-must-register-as-childrens-homes.


http://www.gov.uk/government/publications/when-mobile-services-must-register-as-childrens-homes

http://www.gov.uk/government/publications/when-mobile-services-must-register-as-childrens-homes


Adoption support agencies

16. If a provider wishes to change any of their conditions of registration to allow them to extend the range of adoption support that they provide they will need to request a variation to their conditions of registration before commencing this work. For information about which conditions of registration we apply please refer to the Guide to registration for children’s social care services.83 However, we may impose conditions following registration if we consider this necessary.

Independent fostering agencies

17. Ofsted does not usually apply conditions of registration to independent fostering agencies. However, we may impose conditions following registration if we consider this necessary.

Residential family centres

18. Ofsted only applies one condition of registration to all residential family centres at registration about the total number of families that the centre may accommodate. However, we may impose conditions following registration if we consider this necessary.

Residential holiday schemes for disabled children

19. Ofsted applies two conditions at registration to all holiday schemes. These conditions require a provider to notify Ofsted about the addresses where they will operate and the dates which the scheme will be operating. We may impose conditions following registration if we consider this necessary.

Voluntary adoption agencies

20. Ofsted only usually applies conditions of registration in relation to categories of registration for voluntary adoption agencies. These define the work of a particular agency. If a provider wishes to change any of their conditions of registration to allow them to extend the range of adoption services that they provide they will need to request a variation to their conditions of registration before commencing this work. For information about which conditions of registration we apply please refer to the Guide to registration for children’s social care services.84


www.gov.uk/government/publications/guide-to-registration-for-childrens-social-care-services 84 Guide to registration for children’s social care services (090020), Ofsted, 2015;

www.gov.uk/government/publications/guide-to-registration-for-childrens-social-care-services




34

Annex C: Interim management arrangements

1. The Care Standards Act 2000 requires any person who carries on or manages an establishment or agencyto be registered with Ofsted. Having a registered manager working in ‘full-time, day-to-day charge’ is in children and young people’s best interests because it best protects and promotes their safety and welfare. Further, it is a criminal offence to operate or manage a children’s home without registration with Ofsted.85

2. A person who is to be in charge of an establishment or agency for an interim

period without registration is known in this guidance as the interim manager. A registered provider must have plans in place which outline what they will do if:

they know that a registered manager will cease managing an establishment or agency

they know in advance that a registered manager will be absent for more than 28 days

an emergency situation arises which results in a registered manager ceasing to manage or being absent for more than 28 days from an establishment or agency.

3. Ofsted expects providers to only have interim management arrangements in place if a registered manager:

unexpectedly ceases to manage an establishment or agency

is absent unexpectedly for more than 28 days.

In these situations, Ofsted expects providers to ensure that any interim management arrangements fully protect and promote children and young people’s safety and welfare.

4. Regulations require a provider to notify Ofsted that a registered manager will be,

or has been, absent for more than 28 days.86 They must do this at least one month before a known absence of the manager. They must notify Ofsted within one week of a registered manager being absent for 28 days or more where the absence arises as a result of an emergency.

85 Section 11 of the Care Standards Act 2000. 86 The Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015, Regulation 48;

www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2015/541/regulation/48/made


Ofsted expects a provider to:

have plans to deal with an unexpected absence of the registered manager or the registered manager ceases managing the establishment or agency unexpectedly. For example, how will the provider engage a manager who can meet children and young peoples’ needs safely? Has the provider plans of succession that ensure deputy managers can step into the registered manager’s position in an emergency?

ensure that any person they employ to act as an interim manager has the relevant qualifications, skills and experience to undertake this position

put in place strong arrangements which support the interim manager whilst he or she is responsible for the establishment or agency

regularly review whether the interim management arrangements effectively protect children and young people’s safety and welfare

regularly monitor that the interim manager is effective

ensure the interim manager fully understands the timescales Ofsted imposes on them to apply for registration. The provider must also ensure that an interim manager is aware that he or she must submit an application to Ofsted at the earliest opportunity if it becomes clear that the registered manager will be absent for longer than the specified timescales in paragraphs 2 onwards.

A registered manager gives notice that they will cease to manage an establishment or agency

5. Ofsted expects providers to have appropriate plans in place when it is known that a registered manager will cease to manage an establishment or agency. These plans should ensure that there is a proper transition from one manager to another, including a period of handover for the incoming and outgoing manager. Detail of the arrangements should form part of the notification that providers must make to Ofsted a month before a registered manager ceases to manage the establishment or agency.

6. The provider should also ensure that the new manager is aware of his or her responsibility to apply for registration with Ofsted within 28 days of taking up their post. They should also ensure that the new manager understands the consequence of not doing so, this being that he or she risks prosecution for managing an establishment or agency without registration.

7. If we have information that providers did not manage a change of registered manager, as indicated in previous paragraphs, inspectors will take this into account when planning and undertaking their inspections. Inspectors will also take this into account if they find out that we have not been notified of a change of manager. Examples of actions we may take include, but are not limited to, bringing the date of the inspection forward and using this information to inform our judgement about the leadership and management of the establishment or agency. If a provider fails to notify us of a change of manager this may also


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affect our view of their fitness. For more information about what compliance action we can take, refer to the Social care compliance handbook.87

Known absences of a registered manager

8. Registered managers may have to take a planned absence which lasts for more than 28 days. Examples are, but not limited to, planned medical treatment, maternity leave or sabbatical. In these instances, the provider or registered manager must notify Ofsted in advance of the absence and provide all of the required information. Notification can be made by downloading an SC3 form88 from www.gov.uk/ofsted, or via Ofsted Online.89

9. Ofsted expects providers to have an interim manager working at the establishment or agency by the time the registered manager is absent. The provider and registered manager should also arrange a handover between the interim manager and registered manager which helps to prepare the interim manager for their role wherever possible. In these circumstances a manager must follow the guidance on registration; paragraphs 11 to 14 of this annex.

A registered manager unexpectedly ceases to manage or is absent from a children’s home

10. There are circumstances where a registered manager leaves suddenly, is unable to give notice of their decision to cease managing an establishment or agency or is suddenly absent for more than 28 days. Some examples are, but not limited to: unexpected illness; illness of a dependent; or suspension. Regulations allow providers to appoint an interim manager.90 In these circumstances a manager must follow the guidance below on registration.

Registration of an interim manager

11. An interim manager must apply for registration within a maximum of 28 days if a decision is taken that this person is appointed to be the registered manager of an establishment or agency. If the interim manager is expected to be in day-to-day charge for more than 90 days they must also register with Ofsted. Interim management arrangements should be in place for the shortest time possible. We will continue to assess whether the arrangements are effective based on the information we hold, including notifications, monthly monitoring reports and quality assurance assessments. If we are concerned about an interim manager’s

87 Social care compliance handbook (2014); www.gov.uk/government/publications/social-care-

compliance-handbook-from-september-2014 88 SC3 Changes to individuals and premises (20110008), Ofsted, 2015;

www.gov.uk/government/publications/childrens-social-care-providers-sc3-changes-to-individuals-or-premises 89 Ofsted Online available at: https://online.ofsted.gov.uk/OnlineOfsted/default.aspx 90 The Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015, Regulation 48;

www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2015/541/contents/made

http://www.gov.uk/ofsted






http://teams/sites/SocialCare/Shared%20Documents/Registration-Compliance-OfficeBase%20changes%20(Jan%202015)/www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2015/541/contents/made


ability to manage the establishment or agency we may require the interim manager to apply for registration immediately so that we can fully assess their suitability. For more information about what regulatory action we can take refer to the Social care compliance handbook.

12. In instances where Ofsted considers that the interim management arrangements do not protect and promote children and young people’s safety and welfare this will impact on the timing and outcome of an inspection irrespective of the length of the arrangements. It may also impact on our view of a provider’s fitness and as a result we may decide to take regulatory action.

13. We would always expect that Ofsted should have received an application to register a manager at the earliest opportunity. Where we have not received an application within a maximum of 90 days from the date that the interim arrangements began we will take this into account in our evaluation of the effectiveness of leaders and managers at the next inspection and in considering compliance action.

14. If there are extenuating circumstances as to why a manager wishes us to consider extending the date by which they must register (see paragraph 13) the manager must put their reasons in writing for Ofsted to consider. Decisions will be made based on a case-by-case basis. For example, if there is evidence that the registered manager will return shortly after 90 days, we may decide to allow the interim manager to continue to do so without registration.